Luka Doncic scored 60 points — the most ever recorded against the Heat — as the Lakers won their eighth straight game, defeating host Miami 134-126 on Thursday night.
James Harden had the previous record against Miami with 58 points. He reached that mark while a member of the Houston Rockets on Feb. 28, 2019.
The Lakers (45-25) also got a triple-double from LeBron James, who had 19 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists. It was just the second triple-double of the season for James, who no doubt has fond memories of his time in Miami, leading the Heat to four straight NBA Finals (2011-2014) and two NBA titles.
It is possible that this was the final game in Miami ever for James, 41, who has not yet announced his future playing plans.
Doncic, who entered the day leading the NBA with a 32.9 scoring average, made 18 of 30 shots from the floor, 9 of 17 on 3-pointers and 15 of 19 at the free throw line. He also had seven rebounds, five steals and three assists.
Over the past two nights, Doncic has scored 100 points.
Bam Adebayo led Miami (38-32) with 28 points and 10 rebounds. He appeared fully healthy after having missed Miami’s previous game due to tightness in his right calf.
However, the Heat are just 1-3 since Adebayo scored 83 points against Washington on March 10, the second-greatest scoring game in NBA history.
Tyler Herro added 21 points for Miami, and Norman Powell tallied 20.
The Heat were without two key injured players, Jaime Jaquez Jr. (left-hip tightness) and Andrew Wiggins (left big toe). Those two players combine to average 30.9 points.
Miami led 42-29 at the end of a first quarter during which the Heat shot 63.0% from the floor and had a 26-12 edge in paint points. Los Angeles, despite 12 points from Doncic, shot just 40.9%.
Los Angeles hit 12 of 20 shots from the floor in the second quarter and cut its deficit to 65-59 at halftime. Miami shot just 40.9%.
The Lakers took their first lead of the game at 72-71 with 9:05 left in the third as Doncic hit his third straight 3-pointer. By the end of the period, the Lakers led, 97-88.
Doncic scored 19 points in the third. Miami misfired on 10 of 12 attempts from behind the arc in the quarter.
The Lakers closed out the game without much trouble in the fourth quarter, beating Miami for the third straight time.
